Electrical apparatus



July 18, 1950 G. J. KNUDSON ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 27, 1946 ,5 ,4; 24 13 7 8 U B TB 17 IN V EN TOR.

AT TOR NEY.

Patented July 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York, N. Y.

a corporation of Delaware Application November 27, 1946, Serial No. 712,655

Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to ignition distributor units for internal combustion engines, or the like, and more particularly to the rotor which is incorporated in and forms part of said units for controlling the distribution of electrical current impulses to a plurality of circuits in timed sequence.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide in an ignition distributor unit a novel rotor which is simple in construction, is inexpensive to manufacture, has relatively few parts and is reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a distributor rotor novel simplified means for continuously urging a pair of current carrying brushes of carbon or like material into operative positions and for maintaining said brushes under uniform pressure.

Another object is to provide in a distributor rotor novel means for biasing a pair of cooperating current conducting brushes of carbon or like material into operative position, and which also acts to electrically connect said brushes and to hold the same in assembled relation and against displacement from said rotor. I

A further object is to provide a novel distributor rotor which is so constructed that portions thereof form a shield for the current conducting brushes, thereby protecting said brushes against damage prior to mounting of the rotor in an ignition distributor unit.

The above and further objects and novel fea tures of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a distributor rotor constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of said rotor;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the distributor rotor shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is herein illustrated, by Way of example, as

embodied in a distributor rotor of the type employed in connection with a distributor unit which is adapted for use in the ignition system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. As shown, the novel distributor rotor indicated generally at 5 consists primarily of an elongated block 6 of insulating material equipped with two pairs of carbon or like brushes 1, 8 and 9, l0 adjacent opposite ends thereof for continuously picking up electrical current from a source thereof and conducting the same to the spark plugs in the engine cylinders in a manner well understood in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the brushes 1 and I0 act to pick up electrical current from its source, and the brushes 8 and 9 act to conduct current picked up by brushes 1 and ID from the latter to the spark plugs.

Block 6 is formed with a central opening I l for mounting the rotor 5 on the driven rotor shaft of a distributor unit (not shown), and with a keyway 12 in the wall of said opening for removably securing said rotor to said shaft for rotation therewith. The brushes 1, 8, 9 and I0 project into operative positions from one face of block 5, and are slidably, but non-rotatably mounted in said block at different radial distances from the axis of rotation thereof. For this purpose, each of the brushes 1, 8, 9 and I0 is circular in part and formed with opposed flat sides 13, and is slidably fitted in an opening of a corresponding contour formed in and extending in an axial direction through block 6. The openings in block 6 for the brushes 1, 8, 9 and [0 are so located that the opposed fiat side walls thereof are tangent to the axis of rotation of the block, and the opposed flat sides l3 of the brushes are correspondingly slightly tapered to properly fit into said openings. The fiat sides [3 on brushes 1, 8, 9, and i0, and the location of said sides tangent to the axis of rotation of rotor 5 holds said brushes against rotation relative to block 6, and provides full contact of the same with a cooperating series of arcuate or segmental contacts in the distributor unit (not shown) upon engagement of the brushes therewith during rotation of rotor 5.

Disposed between and extending across the outer or upper ends of each pair of brushes 1, 8 and 9, I0 is a yoke I4 formed from a relatively stiff rod of electrically conductive material and bent centrally thereof to provide a loop l5. Removably connected to each yoke M at the loop 45 is the upper or outer hooked end [6 of a coil tension spring ll which is disposed within an opening [8 formed in block 6 and is provided at its lower or inner end with a coil 19 of a larger diameter that is seated in an annular recess 20 formed in block 6. The described arrangement of tension or pull spring H as distinguished from a compression or push spring enables the use of a relatively thin block 6 and simplifies the rotor construction. Disposed between each brush 1, 8,

9 and land the adjacent end of the respective yoke 14 is a coil compression spring 2| having an outside diameter equal to the diameter of the brush across the circular portions thereof and formed with a reduced center loop 22 toreceive therein the end of the yoke l4. Springs 2i are mechanically and electrically secured to'the respective brushes 1, 8, 9, and i and yokes M by soldering the loops 22 to said yokes and the coils at the opposite ends thereof to said brushes.

When the rotor is removed from the distributor unit, the brushes 7 and 8, occupy the full line positions shown in Fig. 4, and the brushes 9 and It occupy similar positions. In these positionsof brushes 1, t, 9 and it it will be noted that. the springs ll are still under tension, and that the springs iii are engaged with the adjacent facet-of .the block fi to limit the outward movement of said brushesand'prevent the latter from moving completely'out of therotor 5. When the rotor 5 1s in proper operating position in the distributonunit, the brushes 1 and 8 and associated springs 2-1 and yoke 14 occupy the broken line positions shown in Fig. 4, and the brushes 9 and I0 and-associated springs 2| and yoke I4 occupy similar positions.- In these positions of brushes 1,8; 9 -and Hi it-will be noted that said brushes arepre'ssedinto block "6, whereupon springs 2i and yokes i4 are moved away from the adjacent face of said block, and springs I! are further expanded, thus placing the latter under further tension so that the brushes will be urged outwardly relative tobl-ock 6 by the yokes l4 through the springs '21 and firmly pressed into operative positions'under uniform pressure.

It will be noted that by virtue of thecompression springs 2| any excess pressure of the yoke 14 willbe absorbed by said springs, thus preventing rapid'wearing of the brushes and prolonging the life=-the'reof.- It will also be noted that by virtue of the tension spring connection at W with the yokev [4,thelatter may rock about said connection and thus compensate for any irregularities in". the length of the brushes without afiecting the pressure thereon.

Surrounding the yoke 14 and springs 2! of each pair of brushes I, 8 and 9, I0, and formed integrally. with block 6 is a wall 23 that projects above said :.yoke and thus provides a shield for the latter and springs 21 to protect the same against damage when the rotor 5 is removed from the distributor unit. Extending along opposite ends ofthe block 6 on the underside thereof and formed integrally with said block is a partial wall or skirt 25 which projects below th brushes 1, 8, 9 and It. and thu provides a shield for the projecting: portions of the latter to protect the same against damage when the rotor 5 is removed from the distributor unit.

Thereis thus provided a distributor rotor having-novel simplified means for continuously urging apair of cooperating current carrying brushes of carbon or like material into'operative positions and under uniform pressure, and which also serves as an electrically conductive connection between said brushes, and to retain the latter against displacement from said rotor during assembling and disassembling of the distributor unit. The novel construction and 'arrangement of said means eliminates all lateral binding of the brushes in the rotor, it simplifies the rotor construction, decreases the width or thickness of said rotor, and renders the same less expensive to manufacture. There is also provided a novel distributor rotor wherein the brushes thereof and the means for urging said brushes into operative positions are protected against damage when said rotor is removed from the distributor unit.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto or to the specific use thereof in connection with an ignition distributor unit for internal combustion engines. Various changes, particularly in the design and arrangement of the parts illustrated, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will now beaapparent-tothose skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits-of the invention, reference is hadprimarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the-class described, an-insulating block having atleast two openings extending therethrough in spaced parallel relation, 2. conducting brush,-such as a carbon brush, slidably mounted in each of'said openings and projecting from one face of said block, a'rigid yokedisposed between and extending across-corresponding ends of said brushes, resilient means-for moving said yoke towards said brushes to urge the latterout of said'openings, and other resilient means disposed between said yoke and the adjacentends of said brushes. for receiving and transmitting the action of said yoke to said brushes.

2. In a device of the class describecL-an insulatingblockhaving at least two openings extending therethrough in spaced relation, a conducting brush, such. as a. carbon brush, slidablymounted in each of said openings and projecting from one face of said block, a rigidyoke of electrically, conductive material disposed between and extending across correspondingends of saidbrushes,resilient means for moving said yoke towards said brushes to urge the latter out 'ofsaid openingsand other resilient means disposed between said yoke and the adjacent ends of said brushes for receiving and transmittingthe action of saidyoke to said brushes and for electrically connecting thelatter to saidyoke.

'3. -In a device of the class described, an-i-nsulatin'g member having at least two openings extending therethro-ugh in spaced parallel relation, a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush, slidably mounted-ineach of said openings and projecting from one face of said member, meanssincluding arigid yoke disposed between and extendingacross "corresponding ends'of said brushes and coil compression springs disposed between said yoke and adjacent ends of said brushes for yieldably urging the latter out of saidopenings, the inner coil of each of said springs being secured to its respective brush. and serving as aalimit'stopby engaging said insulating member.

4. In a device of the class described, an insulating member having atleast two openings-extending therethrough in spaced parallel relation, a conducting brush, such as a carbon. brush,-s2=id ably mounted in each of said openingsandprojecting from one face ofsaid member, a rigid yoke disposed between and extending across corresponding ends of said brushes, an extension spring connected to said member and to said yoke at a point centrally thereof, and a coil compression spring disposed between and connected with each of said brushes and said yoke.

5. In a device of the class described, a rotatable insulating block having an opening therein, said opening being circular in part and having opposed flat side walls lying in planes intersecting at the axis of rotation of said block, and a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush, having a corresponding peripheral contour slidably mounted in said opening.

6. In a device of the class described, an insulating block having at least two openings extending therethrough in spaced parallel relation, a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush. slidably mounted in each of said openings and projecting from one face of said block, a rigid yoke disposed between and projecting across corresponding ends of said brushes, an extension spring connected to said block and to said yoke at a point centrally thereof, a coil compression spring disposed between and connected to each of said brushes and said yoke, and means projecting from opposite faces of said block and beyond said yoke and the projecting ends of said brushes for shielding the latter, the yoke, and the compression springs against accidental damage thereto.

'7. In a device of the class described, an insulating member having a pair of spaced openings extending therethrough, a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush, slidably mounted in each of said openings, an actuated rigid member disposed out of contact with said insulating memher and spaced from corresponding ends of said brushes for urging the latter out of said openings, and yieldable means disposed between said brushes and said actuated member for transmitting the action of the latter to said brushes.

8. In a device of the class described, an insulating member having a pair of spaced openings extending therethrough, a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush, slidably mounted in each of said openings, an actuated rigid member of electrically conductive material spaced from corresponding ends of said .brushes for urging the latter out of said openings, and means providing a yielding mechanical and electrically conductive connection between said brushes and said actuated member.

9. In a device of the class described, an insulating member having at least two openings extending therethrough and disposed in spaced relation, a conducting brush, such as a carbon brush, slidably mounted in each of said openings, an actuated rigid member disposed out of contact with said insulating member and spaced from corresponding ends of said brushes for urging the latter out of said openings, and yieldable means disposed between and connected to said brushes and said actuated member for transmitting the action of the latter to the brushes and for limiting the extent of outward movement of said brushes.

10. In a device of the class described, an insulating member having at least two openings extending therethrough in spaced parallel relation, a conducting brush, such as the carbon brush slidably mounted in each of said openings, an actuated rigid member of electrically conductive material disposed out of contact with said insulating member and spaced from corresponding ends of said brushes for urging the latter out of said openings, and resilient means of electrically conductive material disposed between said brushes and said. actuated member for transmitting the action of the latter to the brushes and providing an electrically conductive connection therebetween.

GILTNER J. KN'UDSON.

EEFEREPJ CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 881,862 I-Iufi Mar. 10, 1908 1,289,128 Dochtermann Dec. 31, 1918 2,059,702 Matthias Nov. 3, 1936 2,184,763 Baker et a1 Dec. 26, 1939 

